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Bemidji Baroque Ensemble to present Feb. 15 program of Italian music

February 10, 2009

BEMIDJI, Minn. — The Bemidji Baroque Ensemble together with guest artists will present a program of mostly Italian music at 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 15, in the Thompson Recital Hall of the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex at Bemidji State University. Admission is free of charge.

The concert, which features Dr. Jennifer Swanson, soprano, and Dr. Julie Bengtson, oboe, alternates Italian trio and solo sonatas with concert arias by Handel. Included in the program will be works by Corelli, Handel, Vivaldi, Pergolesi, and Baldassarre Galuppi.

The ensemble’s founding members are Dr. Natalie Roholt of Bemidji on flute and Bemidji State music faculty members Margaret Maxwell on harpsichord and Dr. Patrick Riley on cello. Joining the ensemble are guest artists Swanson, BSU assistant professor of vocal music, and Bengston, BSU adjunct faculty of music.

Members of the Bemidji Baroque Ensemble began performing together in 1978, a time of renewed interest in playing older music in a more historically accurate style. They presented their first concert dressed in period costume and have been presenting recitals to the community once or twice a year since. They continue to specialize in historically informed performances of music composed before 1750.

For more information, contact the BSU Department of Music at (218) 751-2915.